Bladderworts are a group of aquatic plants belonging to the genus Utricularia. They are unique because they have small, bladder-like structures that trap tiny organisms, such as insects and zooplankton, for nutrients. These plants can be found in freshwater habitats like ponds and marshes, often floating on the water's surface. There are over 200 species of bladderworts, and they can be either free-floating or rooted in the substrate. They reproduce through seeds and vegetative means, such as producing new plants from fragments. Bladderworts play an important role in their ecosystems by helping to control algae and providing habitat for various aquatic organisms.